Rollers coach blames 'third hand' for derby loss
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday May 22, 2023 16:00
The Blues suffered a 2-0 defeat against the Reds in a Botswana Premier League match played at the Lobatse Sports Complex on Saturday afternoon. Despite the hype prior to the clash, the derby failed to live up to expectations as far as attendance was concerned.
However, on the field of play, the goal posts were rattled four times as GU bagged the bragging rights with two goals in the second half. The tie ended with Rollers a man down after Thabo Babutsi was given a red card in the second half on his first game between the two giants.
Traquil felt the dismissal was unjust as it changed his side’s fortunes in the dull but tightly contested tie. “I think we were against 13, 14, 15 people involved in this game. In my opinion the referees should respect not one but all the teams and what happened today is too bad, in my opinion it was too bad. This is the kind of things that destroy our preparation. We are working all week, we are working everyday hard (sic), the boys are working then somebody comes and destroys our strategy like that,” he said.
The Portuguese gaffer also felt that his side was not outplayed by their cross town rivals but were aided by a third hand. Traquil further questioned the refereeing standards for the local league. “I respect GU. They have a wonderful team, wonderful players but I think they do not need this kind of thing to win matches seriously, for me this is nonsense.
I think we need to improve a lot in the league especially the referees. I never speak about the referees. I think this is the first time in my career but what I saw today was too much,” he said. GU had shown intent earlier on when Kabelo Maphakela was called into action twice to deny Mothusi Johnson's free-kick attempts and a long range effort from Mpho Kgaswane. Popa’s first attempt at goal was on the 38th minute when Tlhalefo Molebatsi caught Kennedy Amutenya napping but failed to beat the advancing GU goalkeeper, Goitseone Phoko.
The tie went into recess with the teams tied at 0-0. Five minutes into the second half, Johnson hit the cross bar from a free-kick attempt. The Reds eventually took the lead on the hour mark as Amutenya was afforded space to head in Johnson’s corner kick. From a free kick, Thero Setsile hit cross bar on the 65th minute as Segolame Boy on the other end directed his free-kick to the post. Substitute, Onkabetse Makgantai rounded the goalkeeper inside the box but was denied by a splendid Phenyo Serameng tackle late in the tie.
The Reds scored the winner on the third of the four additional minutes benefiting from a goalkeeping blunder as Maphakela fumbled Kgaswane’s long range shot. “It was good game and a very good performance. We were never under any pressure; we were composed, comfortable when we had the ball. We knew what to do when they had the ball and looked to pounce on the counter attacks so it was a very good performance from us,” GU’s head coach, Pontsho Moloi said after the game.
The teams: Rollers: Kabelo Maphakela, Jackson Lesole, Simisane Mathumo, Thabo Babutsi, Onkarabile Ratanang, Mosha Gaolaolwe, Phenyo Serameng, Lebopo Moremi (Shaun Gcumeni, Segolame Boy, Edwin Moalosi (Morgan Gaseitsiwe), Tlhalefo Molebatsi (Siyanda Ngubo) GU: Goitseone Phoko, Alphord Velaphi, Kennedy Amutenya, Tshepo Maikano, Mothusi Johnson (Obonwe Maome), Karabo Phiri, Mothusi Cooper, Mpho Kgaswane, Thero Setsile, Thatayaone Kgamanyane (Omphile Ramoagi), Sizwe Twala (Onkabetse Makgantai) Cautions: Babutsi, Johnson, Ratanang, Maikano Dismissal: Babutsi